Marc O’Polo welcomed former German international footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger to its Partner Day event in Frankfurt, where he took part in a live interview with television presenter Laura Wontorra.
The gathering, held at the DFB Campus, brought together partners of the Scandinavian premium fashion brand for a programme that combined business insights with personal stories and values.
The conversation with Hitzlsperger reflected both his varied career and Marc O’Polo’s guiding principles. Once a Bundesliga and Premier League player, Hitzlsperger has since worked as a commentator, manager, author and speaker, and now serves as the German Football Association’s ambassador for diversity. His professional journey has seen him build bridges between sport, business and society, themes that closely align with the brand’s values of Personality, Simplicity, Quality, Naturalness and Innovation.
Throughout the interview, Wontorra invited Hitzlsperger to share experiences that shaped his path from adapting to life in England as a young player, to overcoming setbacks and injuries, to publicly coming out as gay in professional football. Each story connected to wider questions about resilience, courage, and the importance of authenticity.
Hitzlsperger also spoke about the meaning of team spirit and collective success. Drawing parallels between football and business, he underlined how achievement depends not only on individual talent but also on shared goals, cohesion and leadership.
Marc O’Polo’s partnership with the German national team, which will see the brand gain visibility at the 2026 World Cup, framed the discussion within an international context. As the company continues to expand its presence, the exchange with Hitzlsperger offered a timely reflection on the values that support both personal growth and organisational success.